Self-critical perfectionism predicts lower cortisol response to experimental stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that self-critical perfectionism (SCP) may play a role in the development and maintenance of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). In this study we investigated whether SCP is related to a hypofunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which has been shown to be a key factor in the pathophysiology of CFS.

Method: We conducted a quasi-experimental study to examine the association between SCP (as measured with the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire) and stress reactivity in a sample of 41 female CFS patients.

Effects of early childhood trauma on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Background: There is a paucity of studies that have investigated the assumption that early childhood trauma is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The current study is the first to simultaneously investigate relationships among early childhood trauma, cortisol activity, and cortisol stress reactivity to psychosocial stress in a sample of well-screened CFS patients. We also examined whether self-critical perfectionism (SCP) plays a mediating role in the potential relationship between early trauma and neurobiological stress responses.

[DSM-5: from 'somatoform disorders' to 'somatic symptom and related disorders'].

Background: The DSM-IV somatoform disorder category was controversial and has undergone major changes in DSM-5.

Aim: To provide a critical description of DSM-5 somatic symptoms and related disorders (SSD).

Method: To review the new classification system for somatic symptom and related disorders (SSD) as set out in DSM-5 RESULTS: Whereas the symptoms of somatoform disorder were always considered to be medically unexplained, in DSM-5 the symptoms of somatic symptom disorder can now sometimes be explained by a medical condition.

The prevalence and impact of early childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Background: Although some studies have found high rates of early childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), the role of early trauma in this condition remains controversial.

Methods: This study examined the prevalence of early childhood trauma and its impact on daily fatigue and pain levels over a 14-day period in a sample of 90 carefully screened CFS patients using a diary method approach. Data were analyzed using multilevel analysis.

Prevalence of DSM-IV personality disorders in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a controlled study.

Background: It is not yet clear whether chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is associated with elevated levels of personality disorders.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the prevalence of DSM-IV axis II personality disorders among patients with CFS.

Methods: We examined the prevalence of personality disorders in a sample of 92 female CFS patients and in two well-matched control groups, i.